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Post by ViCtoria* on May 6, 2007 15:39:00 GMT -6
Sarkozy takes French presidencyNicolas Sarkozy (52) has recently become the French president, winning with 53% of the votes as opposed to the 47% of Segolene Royal. He is taking over the place of 74 year old Jacques Chirac in the most heated presidential elections in France for decades. Mr Sarkozy is conservative and an immigrant. He belongs to centre-right and will begin his presidency on May 14th. Just half an hour ago, he gave a speech at Place de Concorde, urging he would not disappoint the people. "France has given me everything, and now it is my turn to render to France what France has given me". This has provoked some serious riots in Paris, reports say. Ms Royal has been defeated for the third time, and she is the first woman ever to have made it to second round elections in France. She belongs to France's Socialist Party.
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 6, 2007 15:42:33 GMT -6
Sooo I decided to create a thread with current news Because I receive the BBC Daily News and there's always something interesting to post and thought you would like to keep up to date! Take care,
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 6, 2007 15:52:57 GMT -6
Fresh tornadoes pound central US "A new wave of tornadoes has hit at least six counties in the central US, a day after a massive tornado devastated a small town in southern Kansas. The tornado was described as a "wedge", a particularly wide formation said to be - in this instance - at least one mile in diameter. Greensburg has now been evacuated of its 1,500 residents, who have been instructed not to return while emergency workers search for survivors. Shelters have been set up in nearby towns and National Guard soldiers have been sent to the area to provide security. City Administrator Steve Hewitt estimated that 95% of the town had been destroyed." Omg, this is horrible. It reminds me of the Day After Tomorrow movie. Well, in the BBC they say that if you are from Greensburg or know anyone affected by the tornado you should post to them, urgently with details.
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 6, 2007 15:56:08 GMT -6
I will try to keep up to date with the bombings in Iraq, but there are so many, really... Well, today there was a Baghdad car bomb blast that has killed 33 people. Six US soldiers and a journalist have also been killed in a separate attack. Also: "North of the capital in the Sunni city of Samarra, coordinated attacks on a police station left at least 10 people dead." Source: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6629631.stm
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Post by Zach on May 7, 2007 7:47:48 GMT -6
Great! Karma for you!
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 7, 2007 16:55:16 GMT -6
Thanks, Zack And now, today's news: Ramadi hit by twin bomb attacks Two suicide car bombers have killed at least 24 people near the Iraqi city of Ramadi, west of Baghdad, police say. The US announced it had detained another 15 suspected members of the network on Monday. But the suicide car bombings continue - there were three reported on Sunday.
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 7, 2007 17:00:52 GMT -6
IPTV for deaf people in the UK It has been recently launched and uses the British Sign Language. It will be available all day long. "The channel can be viewed on a computer or via a set-top box and is the brainchild of BSL interpreter Susie Grant." Personally, I think it is a great way to diminish the working and educational opportunities of people with disabilities. Like 95% of the disabled population in the world do not receive an education! So news like this really make you smile
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 8, 2007 15:37:10 GMT -6
King Herod's ancient tomb 'found' Ehud Netzer, an Israeli archaeologist says he has found the tomb of King Herod, ruler of Judea during the times of Jesus, more specifically from 37 BC to 4 BC, when he died. He is known in the Bible's New Testament because he massacred the innocents. If this is true, the discovery will be a major one. China, Russia deny weapons breach "China and Russia have denied claims by Amnesty International that they are supplying arms to Sudan for use in Darfur, in breach of a UN arms embargo." Question here is, should we believe them? Because if they are lying, this would be a major atrocity. The Queen visits NASA base while she takes a US tour This has been one of her last visits in the USA, after her 6 day tour. She was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. The Queen has publicly expressed: "This is quite amazing. Quite an achievement." She has already met with president Bush and visited Virginia Tech. *There have been some killings in Iraq today, too. Some children have been killed, and some US soldiers blamed. Tech: Linux evolves for mobile devices A mobile phone version of the popular Linux operating system Ubuntu will be developed, it is announced. This is all for today.
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Post by AK on May 10, 2007 0:32:15 GMT -6
Good work, Victoria!It's a great thread!
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 10, 2007 15:37:27 GMT -6
Thanks, AK! Today, I was watching the BBC and saw this... Which later I read in an article : Blair will stand down on 27 June This has shocked everybody worldwide. The UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, will stand down on that day, as he has said today during a speech. He has said: "I came into office with high hopes for Britain's future, and, you know, I leave it with even higher hopes for Britain's future". US President George W Bush said he would "miss" Mr Blair. Mr Blair has been the UK PM for 10 years. It is expected that the next PM will belong to the Labour Party and be Gordon Brown.
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 13, 2007 15:23:09 GMT -6
Bombings leave many dead in Iraq It is said that at least 45 people have been killed and many others wounded due to a suicide truck bombing in Makhmur, today. The truck crashed in the offices of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. In Baghdad, at least 10 people died when a car bomb exploded. About 45 people were wounded. This was the same area where, last month, 140 people were killed in a car bombing. Karachi clashes kill 7 people *Iran* These clashes have been caused due to political protests in the area. "The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says opposition parties have turned Mr Chaudhry's case into a campaign against military rule." Among other news:
-The Pope is in Brazil making... things -It is Mother's Day in some countries! Happy Mother's Day!
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Post by SoHuda on May 14, 2007 13:40:14 GMT -6
it's really good.. good job Vic alotta times I don't have time to watch the news so here I can b updated on what's happening in this world.. karma 4 u
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 14, 2007 18:58:06 GMT -6
I'm so glad this has helped u, Huda! Thanks for the karma! Now, I have another short news that surprised me... It is not really "big", but I knew something like this would come up sooner or later:
Rice rejects 'new Cold War' talk US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, has dismissed talk of a new Cold War between Russia and the US, at the start of a visit to Moscow, Russia. Ms Rice said "I think the parallels just frankly have no basis whatsoever". The Kremlin (major state commitee that is involved in Russia's political actions) has expressed strong opposition to US plans to deploy a missile defence shield in Europe. Ms Rice will be trying to reassure Russia about its plans to extend the US missile defence shield in Eastern Europe. The US wants 10 interceptor rockets there to destroy any long-range ballistic missiles fired at the US from the Middle East. Warsaw has indicated it will back the plan if it improves Poland's security. The US also wants a radar base in the Czech Republic. I personally think a new Cold War can easily start... So this is our time to make something to change this!
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 21, 2007 15:51:20 GMT -6
Hey guys! Haven't posted in some time I was going to attend the YFCI Chat but SOMEHOW in the corners of my mind I thought it was at 2 pm... Well umm, hope u can update me with what u did Sooo, with the news this week: More deaths on the Middle East, wouldn't like to comment much about that. Although I'll add that the war with Iraq reminds me of the Vietnam war, and many have quoted Pearl Harbor as a comparison among them... China's child fines 'spark riot'
In Guangxi province, thousands of villagers have rioted in south-western China over the country's controversial family planning restrictions. This took place on Friday and Saturday. The government allows them to have 1 child, if they belong to the urban population, and 2 children for villagers if the first child is a girl. It was launched on 1970's. The small riots have provoked interest to international media. US Senate begins immigration debate This issue is still kind of confusing for me, so I'll limit myself to pasting what I found: "The US Senate has begun debating a key immigration bill that could give legal status to many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. Under the proposed new Senate bill, illegal immigrants could seek a renewable "Z visa" after paying a $5,000 (£2,530) fine. But these measures would not come into force until 18,000 new border guards are deployed, the fence with Mexico reinforced and hi-tech surveillance in place." Polar ocean 'soaking up less CO2' "The decline of Antarctica's Southern Ocean carbon 'sink' means that atmospheric CO2 levels may be higher in future than predicted. These carbon sinks are vital as they mop up excess CO2 from the atmosphere, slowing down global warming." Scientists assumed that, as we humans released more and more CO2, the ocean sinks would help in slowing down the process. Dangerous problems may arise before the first half of the 21st century.
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 27, 2007 16:29:35 GMT -6
Hello again As always, there have been deaths around the globe, especially in Gaza this last week. But let's not focus on this type of stories, although it's important to know they are happening... Arrests at Russian gay protests 3 people have been arrested in Moscow, as violence broke out at a banned protest by gay rights activists. 'Anti-homosexual protesters threw kicks, punches and eggs at the gay rights group, chanting "Moscow is not Sodom" (This was a city mentioned in the Book of Genesis, that was punished due to all its sins. In English, sodomy is related to homosexuality and anal sex). The gay rights demonstrators were trying to deliver a petition to the mayor of Moscow, demanding the right to stage public marches.' Moscow's mayor, Mr. Yury Luzhkov, has once stated that he regards homosexuality as "satanic" and will never allow gay rights parades in the Russian capital. Many had warned the leaders of this protests not to start it, and there were many divisions inside the group on how to organize it. Shocking news, right? People being punished for trying to obtain freedom of expression... So long for the Human Rights Act.
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Post by darkme on May 28, 2007 0:18:24 GMT -6
I read that on tv on that bar that shows currect news n didn't understand it, but indeed it is shocking... violance shud never be the solution n if ppl were trying to protest on something then they shud do it peacefully!
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 28, 2007 21:46:27 GMT -6
Yes, that's so true! Banned from the right to express themselves peacefully.. ¬¬ Bad bad people. Well, news today: US warns Iran over arming Iraqis "The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says that, given the atmosphere of recrimination currently prevailing between Iran and the US, the remarkable thing is that this meeting took place at all. Iraq says it hopes the meeting will lead to further dialogue, but the impression is that the Americans will want to see a change in Iranian behaviour before they pursue it much further, our correspondent adds. As the talks ended, a car bomb exploded near an important Sunni mosque in the centre of Baghdad, killing at least 20 people and wounding dozens of others." Afghan demostrators shot dead 7 people. <-- Small news Rallies as Venezuelan TV closes This one is so important, I should've posted it yesterday. Big news in Latin America. I was listening to a music radio in my pool car and was suddenly interrupted by an association saying they were indignated by what has happened in Venezuela: "Thousands of people have demonstrated in Caracas as Venezuela's oldest TV network went off air after President Hugo Chavez did not renew its licence." [For those who don't know, Chávez is a man that has held power in Venezuela in quite a long time] It is said that, during the turmoil, there were shots, although no one died. It is uncertain whether the fires came from the protestants or Chavez-supporters. "With the power to rule by decree he has nationalised key sectors of the economy and is drawing his supporters together under one unified party."
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Post by ViCtoria* on May 31, 2007 17:18:10 GMT -6
Sooo , the news briefings for today are as follows:
USA News: --> Weakest economic growth in four years, at a pace of 0,6% in the first three months of 2007. The estimate actually was 1,6%. One significant factor is the downturn in the housing market. There's also an big inflation concern for the next year. -->New greenhouse gas goals: President Bush has urged the US Congress and 14 other countries to agree on long-term goals to control the greenhouse gas emissions. "The United States will work with other nations to establish a new framework on greenhouse gas emissions for when the Kyoto protocol expires," he said. However, the US has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which sets out targets on lowering emissions until 2012. And there where little details about the project itself. Mmm... Iraq briefing: Extract: "At least 20 people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a police recruitment centre in the Iraqi city of Falluja... Dozens more people were wounded in the attack... The province is one of the key battlegrounds in the insurgency..."
Russia blames US in missile row Extract: "Russian President Vladimir Putin has said a recent ballistic missile test was in answer to US plans to create a defence shield in Central Europe. Mr Putin said it was a "response to maintain the strategic balance in the world", in what he called a "new round of the arms race"." As I once stated in an earlier post, the Cold War has ended, right?...
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Post by ViCtoria* on Jun 4, 2007 15:50:18 GMT -6
Hello, how is everybody doing? I hope you're fine Well, how is everyone's country temperature? Here it is very cold.. Although I know it is nothing compared to other places. Today we reached our coldest temperature in 10 years: 12,2ºC (Lima, Perú). I know, nothing compared right? But ehem.. I'm writing nonsense! So, there are many things going around the globe. There's the sensation of a Cold War breakout and Mr. Putin (PM of Russia) is saying he'll direct missiles to Western Europe and these sort of astounding news that continuously torture us. It would be ideal if everyday news were filled evenly with "positive" and "negative" news... Of course, this is not reality, it is just a wish... Anyways, talking about real news: science and nature. An important topic we have to be aware of, even though there are killings everywhere .. *Cough* I'm babbling.. So:
UN warning over global ice loss "Hundreds of millions of livelihoods will be affected by declining snow and ice cover as a result of global warming, a UN report has warned." The world population will face losses of accesibility to drinkable water, and there will be rises in the sea levels. Most of the world's ecosystems could become unstable, with enormous consquences for hundreds of millions of people. The melting of glaciers will result in rising temperatures in many places and "Without taking measures to mitigate sea level rise, an estimated 145 million people, primarily in Asia, would be exposed to the risk of flooding." The authors also warned that less ice and snow cover was leading to more of the Sun's energy being absorbed by the land and the sea, rather than being reflected back into space. Tip: Read any news an organization offers daily, and find out the number of times it mentions a political change or a discovery about Global Warming and its consequences. The results are astounding.
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Post by ViCtoria* on Jun 6, 2007 19:25:50 GMT -6
Hey guys, how are you? I'm a bit sick at the moment, should be studying for a Maths exam.. But nothing can take me away from informing you ! So, here you go, today and yesterday's news:
Serious diseases genes revealed A major advance in understanding the genetics behind common diseases has been reported. 17000 people's DNA was studied for the experiment. "They found new genetic variants for depression, Crohn's disease, coronary heart disease, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 and 2 diabetes." These common diseases have been found to be very complex, involving our environment and lifestyle traits. Professor Peter Donnelly stated: "By identifying the genes underlying these conditions, our study should enable scientists to understand better how disease occurs, which people are most at risk and, in time, to produce more effective, more personalised treatments". Cheer up, people! This is good news! Battles ahead as G8 summit begins The G8 summit opened today, in Germany, with disagreements on how to tackle climate change and, yes, you read it here, on YFCI ( ), worsening relations between Russia and the Western countries. It "threatened to target weapons at Europe if US plans for a missile defence shield should go ahead." President George W. Bush said: "Russia is not an enemy. There needs to be no military response because we're not at war with Russia. Russia is not a threat." When asked about the feud with Russian missiles, he adopted conciliatory tones and said it was not a threat, again. Mr. Blair, the UK's Prime Minister, commented: "I think behind the scenes at the G8 there will be the opportunity for people to have a frank conversation about Russia, with Russia". Also, massive anti-globalization protests have taken place in the areas surrounding the G8 conference. Pretty scary, right? Oman pummelled as cyclone passes "The strongest tropical storm to hit the Gulf for decades has lashed oman." The population from the coasts had to be evacuated on Monday and Tuesday, and there's serious economic damage. For more info about this, SoHuda has written about it on the "How was your day?" thread. Interesting fact: the BBC published this article on Wednesday and mentioned it yesterday... And this happened on Monday... Mmm... Weird, right? Bush criticises Russia on reform (this was on Tuesday, not today, before the G8 summit) US president George W Bush criticised Russia for not assuming the democratic reforms it promised. He said: "In Russia, reforms that once promised to empower citizens have been derailed, with troubling implications for democratic development." Mr Bush also said the US disagreed with China's leaders who "believe that they can continue to open the nation's economy without also opening its political system". Mr Bush, who is expected to meet Mr Putin in Germany, said the new system was a "purely defensive measure, aimed not at Russia but at true threats". He said the Cold War was over and Russia was not an enemy of the US. Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to aim weapons at Europe if the system is developed.
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